The Arts & Culture Blog of Evanston Public Library

Tag Archives: evanston artists

Zuleyka Benitez is a local painter, business owner, and the latest artist to be featured in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL. Her show – titled Narrative Interiors – is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Branch where you can catch it through the beginning of January. For Narrative Interiors, Ms. Benitez combined images from existing art works, historical magazines and postcards, and other found objects into gouache paintings highlighted with watercolor and pencil. Reminiscent of stage sets or studio photographs, her paintings feature minute, “seemingly decorative elements” that are intended as clues for adding complexity to a viewing experience that unfolds like the plot of a good book. I recently spoke with Ms. Benitez via email about her European childhood, her painting “Hair Club for Men,” and her experience as an artist in Evanston.

We are thrilled to announce that local painter and business owner Zuleyka Benitez will be the next artist in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL. Beginning December 1st and extending through the month, her finely-detailed exhibit Narrative Interiors will be on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Branch. For Narrative Interiors, Ms. Benitez combined images from existing art works, historical magazines and postcards, and other found objects into gouache paintings highlighted with watercolor and pencil. Reminiscent of stage sets or studio photographs, her paintings feature minute, “seemingly decorative elements” that are intended as clues for adding complexity to a viewing experience that unfolds like a good book. So don’t miss Narrative Interiors right here at EPL, and make sure to check back with Off the Shelf later in December for a featured interview with the artist herself. Stay tuned.

John Sevigny is a photographer, writer, activist, and the latest artist to be featured in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL. His show – titled Nomads – is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Branch where it defiantly dismisses immigration stereotypes in an affectingly intimate photographic series. You can catch Nomads through the end of November, and after that, you can learn more about Mr. Sevigny’s photography and future projects at his website and on his Gone City blog. I recently spoke with Mr. Sevigny via email about Spanish Baroque painting, social justice, innocent male wanderlust, and his forthcoming book El Muerto Pare el Santo.

If you missed his October 16th presentation “Death in a Lawless Land: The Massacre of Immigrants in Mexico,” mark your calendar because artist and activist John Sevigny is bringing his powerful photographs back to the library. We are thrilled to announce that Mr. Sevigny will be the next artist in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL. Beginning November 1st and extending through the month, his thought-provoking exhibit Nomads will be on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Branch. For Nomads, Mr. Sevigny captured the intimate portraits of Central American immigrants crossing into the U.S. from Mexico in order to explore the nuanced motivations for their travel. His photographs are at once memorable, revealing, and challenging to immigration discussions that would paint with broad strokes. While planning your November visit, you can preview Nomads online and also learn more about Mr. Sevigny by visiting his Gone City blog. Finally, make sure to check back with Off the Shelf later in the month for a featured interview with the artist himself. Stay tuned.

Paul Whittaker is an Evanston based artist, the latest to be featured in our local art exhibition series Local Art @ EPL. You can currently view Mr. Whittaker’s show, entitled Circular Logic, on the 2nd Floor of the Evanston Public Library. Mr. Whittaker creates his art using a variety of mediums and materials and often draws inspiration from his background as a biologist. Circular Logic is full of vibrant colors, beautiful details from the natural world, and intriguing views of our sometimes warped urban environment. The show is on display at the Main Library through October 1st. We recently spoke with Mr. Whittaker via email about art and science, nature and the city, and the need to create. Continue reading →

EPL is pleased as punch to feature the art of Paul Whittaker, currently on display in the library. Mr. Whittaker is the latest artist in our ongoing series of local art exhibitions. The show, entitled Circular Logic, features many of Mr. Whittaker’s pieces in a variety of different mediums. Watercolors, paints, pastels, and photography are all employed in Mr. Whittaker’s art, often within the same piece. The colors on display here can only be described as vibrant. Stop by the 2nd Floor of the Main Library now through October 1st and see for yourself, and be sure to make plans to be at the library on Thursday, September 2nd from 6-8pm to meet the artist himself and discuss his work with him. Coming up next month we’ll feature an interview with Mr. Whittaker right here on our Off the Shelf blog. Stay tuned.

Alice Dubois is an Evanston based artist. EPL is pleased and honored feature Ms. Dubois as the latest artist in our local artist exhibition series. You can currently view her art on display on the 2nd Floor of the Evanston Public Library. Ms. Dubois will be donating 10% of the proceeds from her sales from this show to the Evanton Library Friends. You can read more about her generous donation right here. To view more of Ms. Dubois’ artwork you can visit her Flickr site. We recently spoke with Ms. Dubois via email about her art, her inspirations, and what it’s like to be an artist in Evanston. Continue reading →